I am so glad that I got the opportunity to know Mike. Not just as a landlord but as a friend. He had such a great sense of humor that you either got or you didn't! I am glad that I got his sense of humor because he always lifted my spirits after talking with him. Our friendship doesn't end here, I truly believe it's one of those friendships that goes on eternally. 
Rest well my friend- Dawn G.

—To My Dear Friend Mike—

Undoubtedly you became one of my dearest friends. You listened and offered guidance…thank you. Your joyful spirit gave hope…thank you. Your monthly visits to our (Dennis) farm brought sunshine and adventures… thank you. Your care and kindness brought healing…thank you. Your gentle touch with our pets brought warmth and trust…thank you.. Your presence wherever you went was appreciated. 
You were one of a kind . You will be remembered fondly with love and admiration dear Mike. Thank you for the memories💗

Hey Indiana, still short stop here. You will be missed more than words can adequately convey. Having you in my life for those extended periods was a gift, and I will forever cherish the memories we forged together. You were instrumental in shaping my character, and I am profoundly grateful that we maintained our annual connection.
The biting cold in Detroit this month has brought back vivid memories of the time I fell into the lake and you insisted, with characteristic calm, that it wasn't frostbite. You were right, of course, and that recollection offers a sense of warmth every time the temperature drops. Your presence was a constant, and the effort of those long bus rides to see you was always rewarded by your wisdom and grace.
You were a man of exceptional kindness, patience, and gentleness. Whether we were setting up your motorhome or moving furniture into the house you built on our farm, those moments remain etched in my mind as milestones of our bond. You provided the paternal guidance I lacked and extended that same steadfast support to my daughter during the pandemic while I was away in Chicago. You were my anchor. Love you always, Mike, please give Dad and John hugs for me ❤️‍🩹

To be honest, there is no proper or correct way to approach the death of someone so beloved and important to so many.  I find it difficult to express words with enough gravity to accurately depict the kind of person that Mike Kusen was - because, in a lot of ways, the words simply do not exist.  But I'm going to try my best to honor someone so rare and true - and hopefully, I can manage to at least express a fraction of the luster, fun, and effort he gave to this world.  That way, people can in some part, have another piece of him to carry with them as we lay a dear friend to rest.

Mike was a magical person.  Truly.  He had this ability to bring joy and energy to any situation he was a part of.

Even if he didn't feel very happy right in that moment, he would pull that smile out for someone if they needed that.  Or give them a hand to help with, a shoulder for them to lean on, an ear if someone needed to speak, a heart if someone needed to be brave, a brain if a problem needed solved....Mike Kusen gave so much of himself to everyone.  Because he truly wanted to help people, and he saw the value in lifting those around him up.

Few tried to do the right thing, for themselves and/or for others, as much as he did.  He was brave, challenged his peers, was honest, and did so much for so many with the little he had.  A rare person indeed, made rarer considering the modern climate we find ourselves in.

I'm lucky for the time I had to learn from such a remarkable individual.  Even luckier to have him as a part of my family.  My life has been exponentially better having had someone like him to learn from.

I sincerely hope we can all follow your example, and leave the people we meet better than we found them.  Because that's what you did - up until the end.  That we can espouse the values and actions you took to make our lives better.

Even today, I STILL want to be 'Like Mike'.

Who in their right mind wouldn't want to be more like that?

- TEM

Thank you "Uncle Mike" for always being a kindhearted, genuinely loving, caring person. You were always easy to talk to about anything, a fantastic human being. I'm glad that we had an opportunity to reconnect. We will forever remember you with fondness and love. ((HUGS))

OBITUARY

Michael Lawrence Kusen

February 19, 1948 – January 26, 2026

Oehler Funeral Home

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